2025 MG S5 EV Essence vs Geely EX5 Encourage: Spec battle

With greater than 60 nameplates within the mid-size SUV segment alone, it’s hard to know where to search for the precise family automobile.

Which makes it equally as difficult for any of those soft-roaders to face out, especially for newer brands like MG and Geely, except on the subject of fully electric alternatives.

Only 1 / 4 of the sprawling mid-size SUV category is obtainable with a zero-emissions powertrain – and most of them are from luxury brands, putting them out of reach for average Aussie families.

So, if you happen to are on a budget and considering the transition to electric motoring, the shortlist isn’t very long and includes these two: the MG S5 EV and Geely EX5.

Each are tempting enough to potentially quit fossil fuels because of decent driving range and performance; each cost around the identical as – and even lower than – a petrol-powered equivalent; and each come stacked with standard equipment and safety features.

So, let’s compare the MG S5 EV and Geely EX5 to see which one stands tallest.

How much?

To start with, the MG offers double the selection of Geely, with the provision of two battery sizes.

The S5 EV is out there in two model grades – Excite and Essence – each with the choice of either a 49kWh or 62kWh battery.

Prices start at $40,490 drive-away for the entry-level Excite with the smaller battery, and top out at $47,990 drive-away for the flagship Essence with the long range battery we’re testing here.

The Geely EX5 can be offered in two model grades – Complete and Encourage – but each share the identical powertrain and battery, and don’t include statutory charges and dealership fees of their advertised prices.

Subsequently, while the range-topping EX5 Encourage looks cheaper on paper than the S5 EV Essence 62, it should cost fractionally more to land in your driveway.

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CarExpert can prevent 1000’s on a brand new Geely EX5. Click here to get an awesome deal.

What do you get?

Each models come equipped with a generous list of ordinary equipment.

The extensive list of features on each vehicles includes:

• LED headlights
• Keyless entry and push button start
• Climate control with rear air vents
• Power tailgate
• Panoramic sunroof
• Heated front seats
• Twin digital displays
• Satellite Navigation
• DAB+ digital radio
• Wireless smartphone mirroring
• Wireless phone charger
• Vehicle-to-load functionality

Nevertheless, the Geely trumps the MG with just a few extras, similar to full synthetic leather upholstery (the S5 EV has a combo of faux leather and cloth-trimmed seats, which admittedly looks and feels just as nice), larger 19-inch alloy wheels, massaging front seats with ventilation, a much bigger 15.4-inch infotainment display and a more powerful 1000W 12-speaker audio system.

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CarExpert can prevent 1000’s on a brand new Geely EX5. Click here to get an awesome deal.

Are they protected?

Each the MG S5 EV and Geely EX5 have scored the utmost five-star ANCAP rating under the newest – and strictest – protocols. Seven airbags are standard in each vehicles, providing coverage for all occupants and including a centre airbag between the front seats.

Also they are fitted with a comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance aids, including:

• Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB)
• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Blind Spot Monitoring
• Rear Cross Traffic Alert with braking
• Lane Keeping Assistance
• Speed Limit Assist with road sign recognition
• Secure Exit Warning
• Driver Monitoring
• 360-degree parking display
• Rear parking sensors

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CarExpert can prevent 1000’s on a brand new Geely EX5. Click here to get an awesome deal.

What are they like inside?

There’s not much separating these two by way of overall dimensions.

The Geely EX5 is barely longer, wider and taller and has more room between the front and rear axles, but we’re talking centimetres of difference here.

Each are built on dedicated electric vehicle platforms, which frees up space contained in the cabin where there’s good enough room to seat five in relative comfort.

Nevertheless, the MG makes higher use of its cargo capability, despite having an electrical motor on the rear axle, offering more boot space when the second row is in use.

The Geely does have more room for big items when the back seat is folded flat, plus a handy extra section under the ground.

So far as form and performance are concerned, the S5 EV and EX5 tread a really similar path with stylish cockpits that blend the newest in digital technology with quality materials and conveniences.

The MG is a bit more traditional in its design, because the digital instrument cluster is situated under a cowl inside a floating two-piece dashtop that wraps into the door cards, whereas the EX5 has an asymmetric centre console and an exposed tablet-style instrument display behind its oddly squared-off, two-spoke steering wheel.

Each feature some interesting material selections, just like the fake woodgrain panel on the console of the EX5 with flowing lines etched into surface, and the felt panels throughout the S5 EV.

Personally, I feel the MG’s material selections, lighter colors and the mixed fabric/leather seat trim creates a hotter, more tactile environment than the EX5, especially with its standard ‘Geeluxe’ Midnight (black) upholstery.

The flagship Encourage variant does have the choice of another Cloud (white) color palette, which might brighten things up but won’t be as easy to maintain clean for small families.

Regardless of which color you select, there may be a neat party trick in the shape of a retractable leg rest for the passenger seat, which makes long journeys much more comfortable or creates a pleasant place to chill out when replenishing the battery at a public charging station. And the massage function is amongst one of the best within the business.

Each cars have loads of convenient small-item storage spaces throughout the cabin, each allow numerous light in via a panoramic glass roof, and each offer a commanding view of the road ahead from the motive force’s seat.

The Geely’s larger infotainment screen is just that… larger, nevertheless it’s no higher for it as houses all the key vehicle system controls.

It’s not too hard to search out your way through the myriad menus, even though it have to be noted that smartphone mirroring as as yet unavailable. Apple CarPlay is as a result of be added through an over-the-air software update before the tip of September and wireless Android Auto won’t be added until early next yr.

It’s all there now within the MG, which also houses physical buttons for the climate control and audio volume in a panel below the screen for easy accessibility.

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CarExpert can prevent 1000’s on a brand new Geely EX5. Click here to get an awesome deal.

What’s under the bonnet?

The most important difference between these two cars is the driven axle, with MG mounting the S5 EV’s electric motor on the back to power its rear wheels, while the Geely has its motor under the bonnet to drive the EX5’s front wheels. Otherwise, they each use roughly the identical powertrain configuration to reach at the identical destination.

The MG is slower to 100km/h and has a less powerful motor (125kW/250Nm versus 160kW/320Nm), but a rather larger battery (62kWh versus 60.2kWh) that may replenished more quickly via a DC fast-charger and provides an extended claimed driving range (425km versus 410km).

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CarExpert can prevent 1000’s on a brand new Geely EX5. Click here to get an awesome deal.

Cost of ownership

MG sets the benchmark for long-term ownership in Australia with a 10-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty for all of its vehicles including the S5 EV (for personal buyers who service throughout the MG dealer network), including free roadside assistance.

Geely isn’t that far behind with seven years of coverage for the vehicle, and an eight-year guarantee for the battery and traction motor.

It also offers free roadside assistance during the warranty period, but provided that the vehicle is maintained according its prescribed service schedule annually or every 20,000km, whichever occurs first.

While the MG has longer, 25,000km service intervals, its capped-price scheme is simply offered for the primary five years of ownership, and costs more on average than the Geely.

The EX5 has a seven-year capped-price servicing scheme as standard, but buyers also can decide to pre-purchase maintenance plans for the primary three, five or seven years at a reduced rate, offering potential savings of as much as $410.

CarExpert can prevent 1000’s on a brand new MG S5 EV. Click here to get an awesome deal.

CarExpert can prevent 1000’s on a brand new Geely EX5. Click here to get an awesome deal.

CarExpert’s Pick

There’s loads to love about each of those mid-size electric SUVs, and never much to separate them.

Each deliver enough range and performance to tempt urban families away from a petrol-powered runabout, in addition to lots of kit inside their spacious and stylish cabins, plus the newest in safety systems, for reasonably priced price tags.

Ultimately, the MG is the nicer automobile to drive because of its well-sorted dynamic character. Plus, it looks more interesting on the surface, has more tactile touches to its interior, and brings greater peace of mind with its longer warranty.